Removable lingual-vestibular dental alignment device and method for production thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a removable lingual-vestibular dental alignment device comprising an assembly of independent caps ( 12 ). The inner part of each cover ( 12 ) includes a fissure ( 14 ) for coupling to a fixing element ( 21, 24 , and  27 ) adhered to the tooth ( 20 ) and outer elements ( 13 ) facilitating the passage of the dental arch ( 16 ) having a circular, square or rectangular section. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the caps ( 12 ) that includes scanning the mold of the denture and working on a virtual mold in order to include the corrective elements. The caps ( 12, 35 ) are produced after printing the result of the denture ( 9 ) with the different elements and subsequent stamping method or from the printing of a file corresponding to a virtual cap produced on the virtual denture ( 8 ) that includes the virtual cuboids ( 4 ) and virtual half-spheres ( 5 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for both the lingual andvestibular alignment of teeth. This invention is comprised in the sectorof the art of orthodontics, particularly producing or maintaining thedesired position of teeth, for example for straightening, leveling andaligning.

PRIOR ART

Spanish patent ES 2,382,967 entitled “Extractable dental alignmentdevice” includes the known state of the art relating to devices based onbraces which are attached to the denture through adhesives and with theaid of a high-strength or memory wire or arch. The operation of thesedevices is based on a wire with a desired dental arch shape so that onceimplanted in the braces, it applies a force on the braces that istransmitted to the teeth and thereby causes the movement of the teeth tothe desired position. All these devices entail problems due to thediscomforts they cause in the mouth of the patient, hygienic problemsdue to how difficult it is to clean them, particularly after meals, andproblems relating to aesthetics.

Spanish patent 2,382,967 already indicates that “To limit the negativeimpact on a person's appearance, devices such as the known invisiblealigner have been devised, which is based on an assembly of transparentplastic caps or dental prostheses having certain elasticity, which areplaced covering the teeth and the dental prostheses gradually push theteeth towards a desired position . . . . When the teeth have shifted dueto the action of the dental prosthesis, and the dental prosthesis doesnot apply any more pressure on them, it is necessary to change thedental prosthesis for another one that continues to push the teeth tothe desired position”.

On the other hand, in relation to the methods for the production of adental alignment device, the following documents are known in the stateof the art:

-   -   Spanish patent 2,367,282, consisting of a method for producing a        dental apparatus of the type previously described (page 3, lines        21 to 24 and FIG. 1C). This patent describes “a method for        producing a dental apparatus (100), said method comprising:        providing a set of digital data representing a modified        arrangement of teeth for a patient; controlling a production        machine (322) based on the sets of digital data to produce a        positive model of the modified arrangement of teeth; and        producing the dental apparatus (100) as a negative of the        positive model.” Furthermore, claim 2 provides that the step of        control comprises: providing a volume of non-hardened polymer        resin; scanning a laser to selectively harden the resin into a        shape based on the set of digital data for producing the        positive model.    -   Spanish patent 2,367,283, entitled “Method for producing a        plurality of apparatus for the incremental regulation of the        dental position,” which relates to the production of dental        apparatus of the type previously described, i.e., assembly of        transparent caps or dental prostheses, (page 2, line 6        hereinafter and the claims).

Spanish patent 2,382,967 describes a first solution based on an assemblyof caps to which there is manually adhered to cuboid-shaped tube orbrace and which allows improving the position of the teeth by combiningthe technique of caps with dental arches and caps/braces, which confergreater force to the device for shifting teeth more quickly.

The described prior art documents do not solve the technical problemderived from choosing, and manually adhering on the actual device, thebest location for positioning each brace and cuboid on the cap or caps.Currently, the doctor or specialized personnel places the braces on theteeth of the patient by hand, without having previously visualizing thealignment and the arch and the corresponding distribution of forcesthereof. In other words, the choice and placement of braces is done bythe expert or doctor by hand and based on their experience, withoutusing a standardized method for doing so that allows assuring thecorrect choice and position of said elements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention shows a dental alignment device with improved capsas well as a method for the production thereof which solves thepreceding problems. The method for production is based on using avirtualization system to design the caps and choose the best arrangementof the elements forming it (braces and cuboids), as well as automationin the method for the production of the caps and, where appropriate, thecuboid projections through which the dental arch passes. The choice ofthe position of the caps or braces in the caps is made by a specialistwith the aid of specific machinery that includes virtualizationprograms. Producing the devices based on caps which have the cuboidsthrough which the arch passes integrated in the lingual or vestibularpart is done automatically with the aid of specific devices. This methodseeks to eliminate human errors of ocular perception when choosing thelocation of braces, as well as errors derived from manually performingthis technique.

The teeth corrective device is made up of an assembly of caps. Each capadapts to the tooth or teeth anatomically and aesthetically due to itstransparency. Each cap incorporates one or several elements placed inthe vestibular area or lingual area, with the messages of torque,inclination and angulation to generate three-dimensional control in thedental movement based on incorporating a nickel-titanium arch,equivalent to those used in fixed apparatus but applied to caps, whichallows working in a removable manner. These elements can be braces orcuboids adhered to the caps at a specific point, as well as in cuboidsbuilt in the actual body of the cap during the method for the productionthereof.

To that end, the device object of the patent is based on combining theuse of the high-strength arch and brace technique with the use of teethcaps. Therefore, there are two embodiments of the invention as well asthe method for the production thereof.

First Embodiment of the Device

The device is made up of an assembly of independent caps which arefitted on a tooth or several teeth and to which the expert adheres thebraces and cuboids having certain dimensions in a previouslypredetermined position. When using cuboids, it will have certaindimensions according to the position in which it is located. This devicecan include braces and cuboids in the vestibular part or lingual part.In any case, a distinction is made between:

-   -   Individual caps which are individually fitted on teeth to        correct their position and to which a brace or cuboid is        adhered.    -   Caps used as a fixing element and they are used on a single        tooth or on several teeth, which is common for molars. In the        latter case, only one brace or cuboid through which the arch        passes is included and it is used as a point of support on the        denture and so that the arch applies force on the teeth to be        shifted.

The braces or cuboids are adhered to the individual caps in positionspreviously determined by means of a virtualization process on thedenture of the patient and the cap or caps which are fixed to the teethof the patient. As a result of the process for production, the capsinclude a linear protrusion to indicate to the doctor the position inwhich the braces or cuboids must be adhered. The high-strength arch, inwhich the ideal dental arch of the patient has previously beenmemorized, applies constant forces on the braces and cuboids which aretransmitted to the corresponding caps through their fixing elementspreviously defined through the linear protrusion, and through the latterto the teeth, causing the corresponding correction.

The memory of the arch is determined by the material used to produce it,steel and nickel-titanium being used. With the force applied on the archand the direction in which it is applied with the aid of the braces andcuboids on the caps, position of the teeth is improved, particularly inadults, and when the teeth must be shifted a significant distance, i.e.,more than 0.5 millimeters. For finer adjustments, more specifictechniques, such as invisible aligners, can be used. This techniqueallows an adult to rapidly take off the device themselves.

A notch is made in the inner part of the caps having a negative shapefor housing fixing elements, such that these notches will be used forpositioning and fixing each cap to the tooth and preventing theinvoluntary vertical shifting of the caps once they are located on theteeth.

The fixing elements have a specific geometry and are adhered directly tothe teeth in a specific position. The geometry of these fixing elementsis designed to facilitate the positioning of the cap on the tooth aswell as to safely couple and uncouple it without causing injuries in themouth. There are two types of fixing elements for the caps object ofthis invention.

-   -   a) “Turned”-type in which the closing is done based on bevels or        projections. This closing consists of a rectangular figure from        which there emerge bevels or projections tilted and oriented        with a certain tangency to a half-sphere located in the central        part thereof and taking in each of these projections in a        specific direction forming a rotation. The elevation of the        projections in their path towards the half-sphere, together with        their orientation will apply the mechanism for closing the        fixing element with the caps. A fixing element turned in the        clockwise direction and a fixing element turned in the        counterclockwise direction is produced according to the        direction of the bevels.    -   b) Vertical-type in which the closing is based on the        combination of four basic elements:        -   a. Truncated sphere in the upper part which is attached to            the cervical area of the tooth so that the cap does not            remain coupled. The sphere projects from the top part of            this closing to protect the tongue from possible lesions            occurring due to contact thereof with this closing,        -   b. Outer vertical rectangular cuboid        -   c. Horizontal rectangular cuboid creating the flap for            coupling the cap to the tooth and not allowing the shifting            thereof, vertically coupling with the cap. With the            combination of the two cuboids, the cap can only be taken            off the tooth through a specific vertical movement.        -   d. Cylinder crushed in the form of a pellet which is adhered            to the tooth. The diameter of this cylinder is greater than            the length of the vertical cuboid in order to protect the            tongue from possible lesions occurring due to contact with            the tissues of the mouth.

The method for the production of this device is performed with the aidof electronic devices, computers and specific programs. The expertadheres the braces and cuboids he/she previously defines, with the aidof these electronic devices, the position in which said elements must beadhered by means of virtualization of the denture of the patient towhich the corresponding virtual caps are added. Once the position ischosen, each of the braces and cuboids is manually adhered. Therefore,the method for production eliminates a large part of the work done byhand.

This solution solves the following problems:

-   -   a) In relation to invisible aligner patents, this device allows        correcting the position of the teeth in less time due to the        force applied by the arch. Furthermore, in this case only one        device is used, which prevents having to change the invisible        aligner each month.    -   b) In relation to the current technique for correcting the        position of teeth using braces, like in Spanish patent        2,382,967, the problems of directly adhering braces to teeth and        manipulating them to introduce the arch into the braces once        they are adhered to the teeth are prevented. Furthermore, other        specific and more discreet cuboids can be used to achieve the        same effect, because it is not possible to use devices such as        cuboid-shaped tubes adhered to the teeth.    -   c) In relation to Spanish patent 2,382,967, this new invention        is based on defining prior to the inclusion of braces or tubes        the plane that is common to all of them. For this reason, all        the caps are marked with a linear projection indicating the        plane of alignment for the braces and cuboids. Secure alignment        of the teeth is thereby obtained, preventing human errors of        ocular perception when the location in which cuboids or braces        must be adhered is to be chosen. Furthermore, the inclusion of        the fixing elements secures the caps on the teeth, improving the        corrective effect of the device.

The caps, like dental prostheses used in orthodontics, are placed in themouth with the aid of the patient's own hands, and they can be readilytaken off without any special technique. The caps are made of a verystrong and elastic material, such as hard plastics or methacrylate, suchthat when fixed on each tooth or a set of teeth, they adapt to thegeometry of the tooth and apply enough pressure to be immobilized onthem. The positioning of the caps and the force applied by the arch inthe necessary direction is established when it is placed in the mouth.This device allows being worn in the mouth or stored in a case.

Second Embodiment of the Device

Like in the preceding case, the corrective device is made up of anassembly of independent caps which can be fitted on a single tooth or ona set of teeth, individual caps being fitted on teeth to correct theirposition and caps used as a fixing element being distinguished from oneanother. In this case, the device is made up of an assembly of caps madefrom a plastic material which includes in the actual body of the capscuboids having certain dimensions located in the position chosen by theexpert during the method for the production thereof. Like in thepreceding case, this device can include cuboids in the vestibular partor lingual part.

The method for production eliminates a large part of the work done byhand because the expert chooses the position of said tubes and thedimensions thereof by means of virtualization of the denture of thepatient to which the corresponding virtual caps are added. Then, basedon the choice of the expert, the automated production of the caps takesplace, including in the actual body thereof tubes through which the archwhich applies force on the caps to correct the position of the teethpasses.

In other words, the cuboid projections are part of the caps. Therefore,in this case, braces which are adhered to individual caps are not used.Both the positioning of the cuboids and their dimensions are previouslydetermined by the expert by means of a virtualization process on thedenture of the patient and the caps. So for the arch to more effectivelyapply force on the tooth, the expert determines the height of thecuboids and the location of each of them with the aid of virtualizationprograms to achieve greater precision. The resulting caps thereforeinclude the cuboid projection at the height where the expert considersthat the arch must pass. A perforation through which said arch passes ismade in said cuboid projection.

In addition to the problems raised above, this solution solves thefollowing problems:

-   -   A cuboid projection having specific dimensions is made for each        cap for producing the best result derived from the force applied        by the arch on the cap.    -   All the cuboid-shaped projections are aligned in one and the        same plane, preventing the problems of manipulation and errors        of ocular assessment in the positioning of the cuboids due to        perspectives as a result of the different positions of teeth.    -   This method assures exact alignment of the arch, because the        arrangement of the cuboids is performed previously through the        virtualization method.    -   Since the caps and their cuboids are made in a single body, the        visual impact of the device is reduced, being better accepted by        users. Furthermore, the step of having to adhere the braces to        the teeth or caps is eliminated.

Method for production. The alignment device is produced by means of thefollowing steps:

-   -   1) Once the denture model of the patient has been obtained        through a standard method using standard bite wax, the model        taken from the patient is scanned three-dimensionally. A set of        digital data representing the denture of the patient is produced        through a laser scanning method of said mold. This digital data        represents the geometric characteristics of the denture of the        patient, which will be used to virtually represent said denture        and to be able act on it. The scanning method is not described        in further detail because it is known in the state of the art,        as described in the Written Opinion for Spanish patent        2,372,190, page 4/6.    -   2) The set of digital data representing the scanned model is        sent to a computer program which virtualizes the denture model        of the patient. On this virtualized model, the expert can add        and modify the different virtual elements that are added to        virtually create in a customized manner the dental alignment        device. To that end the following steps are performed:        -   a. Creating square prisms or cuboids having virtual            sections. Based on a library of virtual cuboids, cuboids            having a pyramidal base are chosen and modified in a            customized manner for each tooth of the patient. These            virtual cuboids will be used to later define the cuboid            projections of the caps through the inner portion of which            the arch passes. The key to the success of these devices is            in the specific design for each tooth according to the            movement sought as well as the placement thereof.        -   b. Choosing the virtual horizontal insertion plane in which            the cuboids are placed in an aligned manner. A horizontal            plane which cuts the teeth on a virtual cutting line is            established with the aid of a specific program. The choice            of the plane and determination of the cutting line            establishes the height at which the expert controls in a            calibrated manner the positioning of the virtual cuboids            which are incorporated on each tooth, creating a horizontal            discontinuity according to squeezing, which is what gives            rise to the securing of the apparatus in the mouth of the            patient.        -   c. Placing the virtual cuboids. Once the horizontal            insertion plane is selected, the virtual cuboids are placed            in said plane on each of the virtual teeth. As described in            paragraph “a”, each cuboid is customized according to the            part in which the cap will later be inserted and on which            movement must occur. In this case, the idea is for the arch            to apply a force on the cuboid (at this point a virtual            prism or cuboid having a section projecting from the tooth)            generating a second message of movement consisting of            inserting into the tooth the section having a non-uniform            shape according to the poor position of the tooth. In other            words, the cuboid will be longer or shorter, have a greater            or lesser depth or height, being inserted more or less with            respect to each side, to be able to generate the desired            movement in the tooth. Disparity is therefore created in the            positioning and dimensions of the virtual cuboids, which            will be more or less according to the movement to be made.            Through virtualization, the different cuboids can be placed            and the corresponding tests can be conducted to choose the            best combination and thereby increase the effect generating            the force applied by the arch on the tooth when acting            through the cuboid and cap.            -   The cuboids can be positioned in the lingual part,                vestibular part or a combination of both, because when                they are combined the generated force is greater. This                positioning is determined by the movement to be made and                the “poor positions” of the teeth.            -   The cuboids are positioned following a placement                technique based on balance, torques and angulations,                because the objective that is sought is for the forces                applied by the arch to be transmitted to the caps and                teeth the same way the braces do.        -   d. Vertically controlling the caps. To improve the fixing            element for fixing the caps on the teeth and to prevent            shifting of the caps due to the forces to which they can be            subjected, some cavities are made on the inner portion of            some caps to allow the fixing elements adhered directly to            the tooth to be inserted in them. The fixing elements are            positioned through virtualization of the teeth. In this            step, the expert or doctor chooses the type of fixing            element to be used on each tooth based on virtual models            stored in a computer and indicates the position of the            virtual teeth where future fixing elements must be adhered.            To that end, virtual half-spheres, the diameter of which can            be modified to adapt it to the cap and specific tooth, can            be used or the specific fixing element can be used.        -   e. As a result a computer file, for example an STL-type            file, which includes all the geometric characteristics of            the virtual denture, including a relative line with respect            to the horizontal virtual plane, an assembly of cuboids            having different dimensions and virtual half-spheres for the            future control of the caps, is produced.    -   3) Printing. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is performed from        the computer file including the data relating to the virtual        denture, its cuboids, horizontal plane and caps. A model of the        teeth of the patient including the cuboids and fixing elements        is thereby produced. This model of the teeth is the equivalent        to the negative of the caps and caps to be produced.    -   4) Stamping the cap. A transparent thermo-molding plate of 0.5        to 1.5 millimeters is stamped on this mold. To that end, a        conventional stamping method based on using a pressing machine        that adapts the methacrylate, resin acetate, ceramic, zirconium        plates, etc., to the model, giving rise to the cap, is used. The        thickness is determined by the dental movement to be made as        well as the force to which the caps are subjected, and therefore        the force to be transmitted. As a result of stamping, a cap with        the positive form of the model, the shape of the teeth and the        cuboid with the section of opening of each cap is produced.    -   5) Opening sections and producing the alignment device. At this        point, the cuboids are opened on both sides, creating an open        section of the preform attached to the tooth. The opening can be        made with drills and a micromotor or by inserting a hot        rectangular arch. An arch having a round or circular section is        then slid through each opening made in the cuboids of each cap,        interconnecting all the caps and securing them with an elastic        fastener.

A variant of the preceding method consists of adding a step of thevirtual production of caps after step 2.d. In this case, after virtuallydesigning the caps with their components based on the work done on thevirtual denture, volume is provided and it virtually reproduces the capwith a thickness comprised between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeters. A file (step2.e) with the digital data of the cap with the recess for fixing elementand cuboid projection is thereby produced. This file allows being ableto produce the cap according to requirement of the patient (acrylic,ceramic or zirconium), allowing it to be done later through a 3D printerusing the desired material and by combining the desired aestheticcharacteristics. This variant eliminates the step of printing thedenture as well as the step of stamping the caps on the printed denture.

The device that is produced is a device or apparatus generating dentalmovements based on individual caps of each tooth in which each capincludes a projection having a square or rectangular sectioncorresponding to a cuboid. Since the caps are interconnected with aflexible arch that passes through the opening of the cuboids resultingfrom the sections generated during virtualization, the same messagesgenerated by conventional braces are simulated, producing the samemovements in the teeth but without using the braces adhered to theteeth.

This device is removable and more aesthetic than the direct use ofbraces because it is based on the use of transparent caps which, sincethey take in the entire clinical crown, allows transmitting the forcesof the flexible arches without having to adhere the braces. The deviceis therefore more hygienic, comfortable and aesthetic.

This method for production improves the solution described in patentdocument 2,382,967 for removable braces because since it uses the methodbased on virtualization of the denture of the patient, it prevents usinga brace as a connecting element between the arch and the cap. Thismethod virtually generates a modified model of the patient with all thevirtual components incorporated so that once it is prototyped a cap thatreproduces these components in a transparent manner can be generated,thereby preventing the use of braces.

The advantage of this method for production consists of producingcomputer files containing the information about the denture and thenegative form for the production of the caps with their protrusions.Information for producing an entire device in case of loss, or only oneof the caps in case of partial breaking of the devices, can be readilyretrieved with these files.

Another variant in the method for the production of the device consistsof limiting the production of the caps including a line indicating thevirtual horizontal plane corresponding to the location of the cuboids.In this case, the method is the same excluding the cuboid selectionprocess and the inclusion thereof in the step of virtualization of thedenture. In other words, the horizontal plane will be defined and, whereappropriate, the places where the braces must be adhered will be markedin this step. In the step of printing, the horizontal plane will beshown by a line in the denture acting as a negative form, like thepoints where the braces must be adhered. When performing the method forstamping the caps, the corresponding line and place where the bracesmust be adhered will be shown with discreet mark but one that can beseen by the expert. A variant of this process for production is theproduction of virtual caps.

From this variant, a prototype of the caps can be virtually designedfrom the virtual model. The virtual caps will be useful as a model forlater printing the caps and they are stored in a digital data file. Fromhere, the doctor, with the aid of the mark of the cutting linecontaining the caps, then adheres the braces in the desired position.This method is less expensive but done by hand.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are enclosed for better understanding:

FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram of the method for the production of adental alignment device.

FIG. 2 shows the positioning of virtual cuboids in relation to thebalance line based on the virtual cutting line.

FIG. 3 shows a profile view of a cap resulting from the method for theproduction thereof.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are two views of virtual cuboids used in the method forthe production of the caps.

FIG. 6 shows a view of a turned-type fixing element for fixing on atooth.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show perspective views of a turned-type fixing elementwith clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show plan and profile view of the vertical-typefixing element.

FIG. 12 shows the resulting alignment device.

FIG. 13 shows a virtual denture in which the doctor has placed virtualcuboids following the positioning line and spheres for making adepression in the caps.

FIG. 14 shows a printed denture including a straight projectioncorresponding to a cutting line.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show two caps with the cutting line in oppositepositions.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the virtual denture (1) produced from the scanningperformed on the denture model of the patient which consists of a set ofdigital data and is shown in a graphic computer program. In the firststep (37) it shows having access to a virtual library (2) of virtualcuboids (4) having different dimensions and another library (3) withvirtual fixing elements (5) having different dimensions and geometries.When choosing a cuboid (4) and virtual fixing element (5), thedimensions thereof may be modified to adapt it to the virtual tooth ofthe virtual denture (1). Based on the image of the virtual denture (1)the doctor then chooses and represents the horizontal virtual plane (6),step (38). The placement of the plane produces a cutting line (7) withthe virtual denture. This cutting line will indicate the height at whichthe virtual cuboids (4) chosen in the library (2) must be placed, andwhere appropriate, the geometry thereof is modified. The positioning ofthe plane and generation of the cutting line (7) is also used to showthe height at which the braces (32) must be placed. Once the virtualcuboids (4) are placed, with the aid of the program the doctormanipulates the positioning and the final dimensions of the cuboids (4)until achieving the result that is sought. In this case, the idea is forthe arch (16) to apply a force on the virtual cuboid so that itgenerates certain force and message of movement in the tooth (20).Through virtualization, the different virtual cuboids (4) can be placedand the corresponding tests can be conducted to choose the bestcombination and thereby improve the effect the actual arch (16) willlater apply on the tooth (20) when it acts through the cuboidprojections (13) of the cap (12). This step (37) shows the vestibularplacement of the virtual cuboids (4), although lingual placement is alsopossible.

The doctor will then virtually balance the forces applied by the arch(16) on each of the actual teeth (20) with the aid of a virtual view ofthe positioning of the virtual cuboids (4) in relation to the virtualcutting line (7) corresponding to the balance line as shown in FIG. 2.This method can also be applied to braces, not shown in the drawings.The virtual cuboids (4) are positioned following a placement techniquebased on balance, torques and angulations, in order to get the forcesthat will be applied by the arch to be transmitted to the caps (16) andteeth (20) the same way the braces do.

To vertically fix the actual caps (12), half-spherical virtualprojections (5) are inserted in the positions of the teeth where thefixing elements (21, 24, and 27) will later be manually adhered on theactual denture. These fixing elements (21, 24, and 27) are defined bychoosing the corresponding fixing elements from a virtual library andthen modifying their dimensions and geometry to adapt them to each toothand cap. Neither these libraries nor the definition of the fixingelements have been depicted in the drawings.

FIG. 13 shows the final virtual result where the virtual denture (8)includes the virtual cuboids (4) following the cutting line (7) andspheres (5) for making a depression in the caps.

As a result of the virtual method, a computer file is produced, step(39), with the geometric characteristics of the virtual denture (8),including the cutting line (7), an assembly of virtual cuboids (4)having different dimensions which are linked to the denture (8) andvirtual half-spheres (5) for future control of the caps (12). This file(39) is printed with a 3D printer, step of printing (40), producing amodel of the teeth or printed denture (9) of the patient includingcuboid-shaped projections (10) and half-spherical projections (11). Amethod of stamping is performed on this printed denture (9), step ofstamping (41), for producing the final caps (12) with the shape of theteeth and including cuboid projections (13) and notches (14) for housingthe closing of the fixing elements (21, 24, and 27). The correspondinggap is made on the cuboid projections (13) with drills and a micromotoror by inserting a hot rectangular arch. A dental arch (16) having arounded or circular section is then slid through each opening made inthe cuboids of each cap, interconnecting all the caps and securing themwith an elastic fastener.

Each cap (12), FIG. 3, has the shape of the tooth (20) produced afterthe method for the production thereof. In the vestibular part or lingualpart, it includes a cuboid-shaped projection (13) as well as a fissure(14) which allows fitting the cap (12) on a fixing element (21, 24, and27) adhered to the tooth (20) to which the cap (12) is coupled. Theposition of each fissure (14) is defined in the virtualization method asshown in FIG. 1.

The virtual cuboids (4), FIGS. 4 and 5, have a wider prismatic base (17)on which there rests the rectangular prism (18) the dimensions of whichare determined by the doctor according to the force, including directionthereof, that the arch (16) must apply on each tooth (20). When printingthe caps (12) these cuboids produce the corresponding projection (13) inthe cap (12) forming a single body, as shown in FIG. 3.

The doctor manually adheres the fixing elements (21, 24, and 27) to theteeth (20) in the position previously determined for making the notch inthe caps (12). Therefore, FIG. 6 shows a turned-type fixing element (21)adhered to the lingual part of a tooth (20). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,such “turned”-type fixing element (21, 24) consists of a rectangularfigure from which there emerge bevels (22, 25) or projections tilted andoriented with a certain tangency to a half-sphere having an ellipticalsection (23, 26) located in the central part thereof and taking in eachof these projections (22, 25) in a specific direction forming arotation. The elevation of the projections (22, 25) in their pathtowards the half-sphere (23, 26) together with their orientation willapply the mechanism for closing each fixing element (21, 24) with thecaps (12) to make the corresponding fixing element. FIG. 7 shows thecase of a fixing element (21) with projections with a clockwiserotation, whereas FIG. 8 shows a fixing element (24) withcounterclockwise projections (25).

The vertical-type closing (27), FIGS. 9 to 11, consists of:

-   -   A truncated sphere (28) in the upper part which is attached to        the cervical area of the tooth so that the cap (12) does not        remain coupled. The sphere projects from the top part of this        closing to protect the tongue from possible lesions occurring        due to the contact thereof with this closing.    -   An outer vertical rectangular cuboid (29) and a horizontal        rectangular cuboid (30) creating the coupling flap for coupling        the cap to the tooth.    -   A cylinder (31) crushed in the form of a pellet which is adhered        to the tooth (20). The diameter of this cylinder (31) is greater        than the length of the vertical cuboid (29) to protect the        tissues of the mouth.

The closings are produced by a method of stamping based on the computerfiles representing the closings and they have been defined in steps (33and 34).

FIG. 12 shows the final result of this method which consists of anassembly of caps (12) forming a corrective device for correcting theposition of the teeth with the aid of an arch (16). Independent caps(12) can be fitted on a single tooth (20) or on a set of teeth. Each ofthe caps (12) includes a brace (32) or a perforated cuboid-shapedprojection (13) which is traversed by an arch (16) which applies forceon the cuboid projection (13) which is transmitted to the cap (12)through the cuboid. As a result, the cuboid will have certain shape anddimensions according to the desired direction of the force to be appliedon the tooth.

FIG. 14 shows the variant corresponding to a printed denture (33)including a straight projection (34) corresponding to the cutting line(7). This denture (33) is distinguished from the denture (9) in that itdoes not include cuboid projections (10). The caps (34), FIGS. 15 and16, that are produced by the stamping of this denture (33) will onlyinclude a protrusion corresponding to a projection (35) which indicatesto the expert the height at which the braces or cuboids can be manuallyadhered as well as the notch (14) for housing the fixing elements (21,24, and 27).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

This invention can be applied in the industry relating to healthsciences, particularly the sector of orthodontics.

1. A method for the production of a removable dental alignment devicemade from a mold of the denture of the patient, characterized bycomprising the following steps: scanning the mold of the denture andvirtually representing a virtual denture (1) through a set of digitaldata, producing a virtual denture (8) from the virtual denture (1)wherein: a. a horizontal virtual plane (6) cutting the virtual denture(1) on a cutting line (7) is chosen and represented, b. the virtualcuboids (4) are chosen from a virtual library (2), c. the chosen virtualcuboids (4) are placed on the cutting line (7) and their dimensions aremodified according to the movement that must be applied on each toothand following the placement technique based on balance, torques andangulations, with the aid of the virtual view of the positioning of thevirtual cuboids (4) in relation to the virtual cutting line (7), d. thevirtual half-spheres (5) representative of virtual fixing elementshaving different dimensions and geometries are chosen from a virtuallibrary (3) and modified, e. the virtual half-spheres (5) are placed onthe virtual denture (1), f. a computer file with the geometriccharacteristics of the virtual denture (8), the cutting line (7), theassembly of virtual cuboid projections (10) having different dimensionsand half-spherical projections (11) is produced, printing the model ofthe teeth or printed denture (9) of the patient with the cuboids (10)and half-spheres (11) with a 3D printer, stamping the caps (12) on theprinted denture (9), which includes the shape of the teeth, the cuboidprojections (13) and the notches (14), opening in the cuboid projections(13) the gap for the passage of the dental arch (16) using specificdrills and a micromotor or by inserting a hot rectangular arch, adheringthe fixing elements (21, 24, and 27) to the corresponding teeth (20). 2.The method for the production of a removable dental alignment deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized by positioning the cuboidprojections (4) in the vestibular part of the cutting line (7) and thehalf-spheres (5) in the lingual part of the virtual denture (1).
 3. Themethod for the production of a removable dental alignment deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized by positioning the cuboidprojections (4) in the lingual part of the cutting line (7) and thehalf-spheres (5) in the vestibular part of the virtual denture (1). 4.The method for the production of a removable dental alignment deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that on the virtualrepresentation of the denture of the patient: a. a horizontal virtualplane (6) cutting the virtual denture (1) on a cutting line (7) ischosen and represented, b. the virtual half-spheres (5) are chosen froma virtual library (3) and modified, c. the virtual half-spheres (5) areplaced on the virtual denture (1), and in that a computer file with thegeometric characteristics of the virtual denture (8), the cutting line(7), and half-spherical projections (11) is produced and a 3D printoutof the printed denture (33) of the patient is made with a protrusion(34) on which the stamping of the caps (35) is performed, including aprotrusion (36) corresponding to the cutting line (7), and in that thebraces (32) or cuboid projections are manually adhered on the protrusion(36) of each cap.
 5. The method for the production of a removable dentalalignment device according to claim 4, characterized by printing thecutting line (7) in the lingual part and the half-spheres (5) in thevestibular part.
 6. The method for the production of a removable dentalalignment device according to claim 4, characterized by printing thecutting line (7) in the vestibular part and the half-spheres (5) in thelingual part.
 7. The method for the production of a removable dentalalignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that afterproducing the digital file with the data of the virtual denture (8), thecaps are virtually reproduced on the virtual denture (8) with a volumebetween 0.5 and 1.5 millimeters, producing a file with the digital dataof the cap including the recess for the fixing element and cuboidprojection, and in that this file is printed using the 3D printingtechnology.
 8. The method for the production of a removable dentalalignment device according to claim 7, characterized in that the 3Dprinting of the caps is done with an acrylic, ceramic or zirconiummaterial.
 9. The method for the production of a removable dentalalignment device according to claim 1, characterized by: defining andadapting each fixing element on the virtual denture (1) from a virtuallibrary of fixing elements, producing a computer file with the digitaldata of the fixing element, printing the file digital with a 3D printingmethod producing the final fixing elements (21, 24, and 27).
 10. Themethod for the production of a removable dental alignment deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the stamping of the cap (12,35) is done using a thermo-molding plate between 0.5 and 1.5millimeters.